Hi all,
Long-time reader, very infrequent poster, but constantly wowed with the information shared here.This appears to be a fairly common question from other threads, but I have a fairly unique situation that I'd like to hear from you all on.
Picked up a 2002 Chevy S10 that I'm going to tow with. 4.3l v6- max tow capacity 5500 lbs. Bumper tow rating-- 3500 lbs, 350 lb max tongue weight. The truck was already equipped with a bumper mount receiver hitch (literally a receiver hitch bolted to the bumper under where the ball would traditionally go-- not a traditional receiver hitch, thus the uniqueness). Example Maxxhaul 70036. I added a tranny cooler, so no worries there. Checked the bolts where the bumper attaches; they appear to have a minor amount of surface rust, but otherwise are in good shape...I live in a very dry climate. 99% of the towing is on paved roads. Only gravel is for lake access.
My current boat is a 1979 Starcraft Supersport 16 ft deep v, 1978 Mercury 80 hp, with a EZ Loader trailer (not sure what year, but I'd imagine around 1979). My math, based on online searches-- boat- 650 lbs. motor- 250 lbs. trailer- 600 lbs. plus all decking, steering accessories, gear, trolling motor, and 10 gallons of gas- 700 lbs. Total weight- 2200 lbs., which I consider to be on the high-end.
My question-- Do I need to upgrade to a frame mounted hitch (around $130 new for a one, i.e. 4000 lbs- 400 lb tongue, plus having to remove the bumper to install) in order to avoid bending/damaging the bumper with this load, or will the current set-up of the bumper bolted receiver hitch be adequate?
Thanks!!
Long-time reader, very infrequent poster, but constantly wowed with the information shared here.This appears to be a fairly common question from other threads, but I have a fairly unique situation that I'd like to hear from you all on.
Picked up a 2002 Chevy S10 that I'm going to tow with. 4.3l v6- max tow capacity 5500 lbs. Bumper tow rating-- 3500 lbs, 350 lb max tongue weight. The truck was already equipped with a bumper mount receiver hitch (literally a receiver hitch bolted to the bumper under where the ball would traditionally go-- not a traditional receiver hitch, thus the uniqueness). Example Maxxhaul 70036. I added a tranny cooler, so no worries there. Checked the bolts where the bumper attaches; they appear to have a minor amount of surface rust, but otherwise are in good shape...I live in a very dry climate. 99% of the towing is on paved roads. Only gravel is for lake access.
My current boat is a 1979 Starcraft Supersport 16 ft deep v, 1978 Mercury 80 hp, with a EZ Loader trailer (not sure what year, but I'd imagine around 1979). My math, based on online searches-- boat- 650 lbs. motor- 250 lbs. trailer- 600 lbs. plus all decking, steering accessories, gear, trolling motor, and 10 gallons of gas- 700 lbs. Total weight- 2200 lbs., which I consider to be on the high-end.
My question-- Do I need to upgrade to a frame mounted hitch (around $130 new for a one, i.e. 4000 lbs- 400 lb tongue, plus having to remove the bumper to install) in order to avoid bending/damaging the bumper with this load, or will the current set-up of the bumper bolted receiver hitch be adequate?
Thanks!!
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